Fundamentals of the Finite Element Method for Heat and Fluid Flow
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Importance of Heat Transfer
The subject of heat transfer is of fundamental importance in many branches of engineering.
A mechanical engineer may be interested in knowing the mechanisms of heat transfer
involved in the operation of equipment, for example boilers, condensers, air pre-heaters,
economizers, and so on, in a thermal power plant in order to improve their performance.
Nuclear power plants require precise information on heat transfer, as safe operation is an
important factor in their design. Refrigeration and air-conditioning systems also involve
heat-exchanging devices, which need careful design. Electrical engineers are keen to avoid
material damage due to hot spots, developed by improper heat transfer design, in electric
motors, generators and transformers. An electronic engineer is interested in knowing the
efficient methods of heat dissipation from chips and semiconductor devices so that they can
operate within safe operating temperatures. A computer hardware engineer is interested in ... read full excerpt from Fundamentals of the Finite Element Method for Heat and Fluid Flow ebook
